Conferva ærea c. 1843 - 1853

This is a cyanotype of Conferva Aerea, made by Anna Atkins in England. The image is from her 1843 publication, "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions." Atkins, a botanist, made this image using a process developed by Sir John Herschel, a friend of her father's. Placing algae directly onto chemically treated paper and exposing it to light, she created a photogram. Note the striking contrast between the detailed white algae and the Prussian blue background. This work exists at the intersection of science and art. In Victorian England, scientific illustration was crucial for disseminating knowledge, and photography offered a new, seemingly objective method for documenting the natural world. But Atkins’ work transcends mere documentation. As one of the earliest books produced using photography, it challenged the established methods of scientific publishing. To delve deeper, examine the historical context of scientific illustration, the rise of photography, and the role of women in science during the Victorian era. The study of this photogram is contingent on understanding the social and institutional context in which it was created and received.